Today’s NHL Lineups and Goalies: Start/Sit Calls and PP1 Watch

With projected lineups and starting goalies locked in for today’s slate, fantasy value will swing on a few key decisions. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators tilt, plus the Canucks–Hurricanes matchup, feature injury returns, depth promotions, and a confirmed starter in net. Let’s sort through who you should actually start, who’s a risky sit, and which PP1 auditions are worth chasing for short-term upside.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The headline news is on the blue line: Matt Dumba is back in the Penguins lineup. His return stabilizes their defense and could nudge special-teams usage, especially if he earns any secondary power-play time. In categories formats, his physical style and shot volume can quietly swing a matchup when he’s fully integrated.

Up front, Philip Tomasino draws into the lineup for the Penguins, replacing Danton Heinen. Any time a skilled forward moves into a scoring role, there’s potential for a short-term spike, particularly if he sees even a taste of power-play deployment or top-six minutes. Tomasino’s offensive profile makes him a classic speculative add in points formats.

For Nashville, the big confirmation is in net: Juuse Saros is starting for the Predators. In daily leagues, that locks him in as a high-volume option against a Penguins squad that can generate plenty of shots. If you were debating between fringe goalie options, Saros’ confirmed status and workhorse track record make him a priority play.

There’s also a health watch element: Drew O’Connor is expected to play after an illness. His return gives Pittsburgh more stability in their middle-six and could keep their secondary scoring lines intact. In deeper formats, that continuity matters for streaming and for projecting who might stick on a scoring line or second power-play unit.

Out west, the status of Quinn Hughes and Thatcher Demko for the Canucks looms large. If Hughes is limited or out, Vancouver’s power-play structure changes dramatically, lowering the ceiling for their top forwards and shifting PP1 responsibilities. If Demko is unavailable or not fully up to speed, it changes how aggressively you stream skaters against the Canucks and how confident you feel starting their depth pieces.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only formats, you’re chasing deployment and power-play exposure above all. With Matt Dumba back, Pittsburgh’s breakout and transition game should be a bit cleaner, which is a subtle boost to their top-six forwards. Even if Dumba doesn’t grab prime PP time, having a more reliable puck-mover behind them can help sustain offensive-zone time and improve assist potential.

Philip Tomasino is the main forward to circle. Sliding in for Heinen suggests the Penguins want a bit more offensive punch in that slot. If Tomasino lands alongside established playmakers or sees any PP2 looks, he becomes a viable short-term points stream. In shallower leagues, he’s more of a watchlist name; in deeper points-only formats, he’s a reasonable speculative add for managers who can afford a short leash.

On the Nashville side, a confirmed start for Juuse Saros doesn’t directly score you points in skater leagues, but it does influence how you treat Predators forwards. With Saros giving them a strong chance to stay competitive, you can be a bit more confident rolling out their top offensive pieces rather than worrying about a blowout suppressing scoring opportunities.

For Vancouver and Carolina, keep an eye on Quinn Hughes’ status. If Hughes is limited, whoever steps into a bigger power-play role for the Canucks gets a short-term bump in assist and PPP potential. Conversely, if he’s fully good to go, you stick with your usual Canucks core and avoid overreacting to temporary lineup noise.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat leagues, Matt Dumba is the most actionable name. His return means a potential influx of hits, blocks, and shots from the Penguins’ blue line. If your roster is light on peripherals, he’s a viable start today, especially in leagues that reward penalty minutes or high shot totals from defensemen. The added defensive depth also helps Pittsburgh’s goalie environment, which can indirectly stabilize your save percentage and goals-against if you’re rolling with their netminder.

Philip Tomasino is more of a scoring-focused piece than a bangers specialist, so his value in categories leagues hinges on whether he can chip in shots and power-play points. If he’s stuck in a lower-minute role, he’s best left on the wire outside of very deep formats. But if you see him deployed with skilled linemates and on a scoring line, he becomes a viable short-term play for goals, assists, and SOG.

Juuse Saros is a clear start in categories formats today. A confirmed workload means strong potential for saves, and if the Predators can keep the game close, you’re live for a win as well. Unless you’re overloaded with elite goalie options, Saros should be in your active lineup; benching a confirmed starter of his caliber is rarely optimal in daily leagues.

Drew O’Connor’s expected return is more relevant in deeper categories leagues. If he resumes a middle-six role with some secondary power-play time, he can quietly contribute shots and a few hits. He’s not a must-start, but he’s a name to monitor if your league rewards volume and you’re constantly churning the bottom of your roster.

Dynasty / Keeper

In dynasty formats, the focus shifts from today’s box score to longer-term role trends. Philip Tomasino stepping into the lineup at the expense of a veteran like Heinen is a positive signal. It suggests the Penguins want to see what he can do in a more meaningful role. If he sticks in the top nine and earns trust on special teams, his long-term trajectory improves, making him a worthwhile stash if he’s still available.

Drew O’Connor is another dynasty watch. The fact that he’s expected back quickly after illness and slotted into a meaningful role indicates the team values his presence. If he continues to hold a lineup spot and occasionally touches PP2, he profiles as a useful depth piece with some upside in deeper keeper formats. Monitor his usage over the next few games before committing a roster spot.

Matt Dumba is more of a known quantity at this stage, but his return and usage can still matter in dynasty if you’re evaluating whether to keep or move him. If he’s consistently seeing solid minutes and contributing across categories, he remains a viable veteran anchor on your blue line. If his role looks reduced, you might explore options using tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to gauge his market value.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Juuse Saros – Start/Short-term stream (all formats): Confirmed starter with strong volume potential; roll him unless you’re overloaded with elite options.
Matt Dumba – Start in categories, Watch in points-only: Returns to the lineup with multi-cat upside in hits, blocks, and shots.
Philip Tomasino – Watchlist/Add in deeper points leagues: Steps in for Heinen and offers offensive upside if he sticks in a scoring role or sees PP time.
Drew O’Connor – Watchlist (deep and dynasty): Expected to play after illness; monitor his line and PP usage for potential streaming value.
Canucks PP replacement if Quinn Hughes sits – Short-term stream: Whoever inherits extra PP responsibilities in Vancouver becomes a speculative add for assists and PPP.
Hurricanes forwards vs. weakened Canucks blue line – Short-term stream: If Vancouver is missing key pieces, Carolina’s top-six becomes an attractive one-day scoring stream.

Fantasy Takeaways

Matt Dumba returning makes him a viable categories start today and slightly boosts the environment for Penguins skaters.
Philip Tomasino is a speculative points-only play; watch his deployment closely before committing in shallow leagues.
Juuse Saros is a clear go in daily formats thanks to his confirmed start and strong workload profile.
Drew O’Connor’s expected return keeps Pittsburgh’s secondary scoring lines intact, making him a deeper-league and dynasty monitor.
Monitor Quinn Hughes and Thatcher Demko news; their status will swing PP1 value and goalie streaming decisions in the Canucks–Hurricanes matchup.

Source: NHL.com. See the original for full details.